Guwahati (BIS) A group of leading artists of Guwahati under the leadership of national award winning artist Ms. Tarali Sarma, held a three-hour song and dance programme named Jyotirgamaya here, November 6, to raise funds for Snehalaya (Home of Love), a centre for street children run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. Snehalaya was started in 2000 by the Province of Guwahati under the leadership of Fr. Lukose Chervalael sdb to care for the young boys and girls who are picked up from the streets, are runaways, orphans etc. The centre today provides shelter and education to more than 600 young boys and girls. More than 1000 well wishers of Snehalaya attended the Charity Show. Inaugurating the music nite, former president of Assam Sahitya Sabha and a folklore expert Dr. Birendranath Dutta said the religion of love and humanity transcends all other organized religions. Works like that of Snehalaya and programmes like Jyotirgamaya are expressions of that love. He lauded the efforts of Snehalaya in providing a home and a future for the underprivileged children. Renowned film director Jahnu Barua who addressed the gathering said children are the flowers of society, and they are pure and carry within them the future. Society, he said must do everything possible to ensure the well being of children, especially those who are deprived of love, livelihood and a home. The musical programme led by Ms. Tarali Sarma, brought together several young artists of the city. Each of them said they were happy to be part of the noble mission of Snehalaya. Ms. Tarali Sarma handed over a cheque of Rs. 500,000/- raised through the show to the children of Snehalaya. Director of Snehalaya, Father Lukose Cheruvalel said, Jyotirgamaya was the collective effort of several artists and well-wishers of the city, and it was a beautiful expression of the people’s appreciation, support and solidarity for the cause of the destitute children of the Northeast. Earlier excerpts from a film on Snehalaya was screened. Snehalaya, established in 2000 as a millennium gift to the poorest of the poor children in Northeast India, has five homes catering to more than 600 boys and girls. The Salesian Sisters, Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians and several other religious congregations and voluntary organizations work in close collaboration to run these centres.